Wenger won't be distracted by Arsenal angst

Arsene Wenger insists the growing frustration about his failure to end Arsenal's seven-year trophy drought will not distract him from finding a way to get the club back on track.

LONDON: Arsene Wenger insists the growing frustration about his failure to end Arsenal's seven-year trophy drought will not distract him from finding a way to get the club back on track.

Wenger, whose side host Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Sunday, was subjected to a rare show of dissent during last weekend's home defeat by Manchester United when he opted to replace lively winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with the lacklustre Andrey Arshavin.

To make matters worse for Wenger, the chorus of disapproval -- a fitting soundtrack for Arsenal's troubled season -- only increased in volume as Arshavin's sloppy defending allowed United to score the late winner that condemned the Gunners to their third successive defeat.

With Arsenal currently languishing in fifth place, four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the race for a Champions League spot, Wenger could be forgiven for fearing another hostile reaction if Arsenal lose to Villa in the FA Cup fourth round.

But Wenger is steadfast in his belief that he can turn the tide, regardless of the opinions of his own supporters.

Asked about last week's jeers, he said: "I can live with that. I do not think about the fans' reaction, I think about how we can win our games.

"I will live forever by the values I think are right in football. One or two lost games, or one or two bad reactions, will not change that.

"I always believe the fans' reaction depends on us. It is the team which has to get the fans behind them, and the fans have to be proud of the team. The vibes have to come from us.

"What was disappointing for me was that we produced a bad performance in the first half against United, but a decent performance in the second half and should have won.

"We did not deserve to lose. The team did not get the credit it deserved for the performance in the second half."

Wenger addressed his squad at Arsenal's training ground this week to underline his belief that they can force their way back into the top four.

But it is the FA Cup that provides Arsenal with their most realistic hope of winning silverware for the first time since the 2005 FA Cup final triumph over Manchester United.

And Wenger expects complete focus against Villa on Sunday as they look to keep alive hopes of finally ending that long trophy drought.

"If you look at Villa's team sheet, they are a very good side, they can produce good results, especially away from home, because they are dangerous on counter-attacks," Wenger said.

Aston Villa coach Alex McLeish has also been under fire in recent weeks and the Scot could do with a morale-boosting result in north London.

Villa, who welcome back England striker Gabriel Agbonlahor from illness, boast an impressive record of two wins, two draws and just one defeat from their five trips to the Emirates Stadium.

McLeish believes that knowledge could inspire Villa to upset the odds.

"I don't see why we should be fearing Arsenal, but at the same time you're not going in there shouting from the rooftops, 'We're going to do this, we're going to do that,'" he said.

"We have to be at our best defensively because they have some great attackers but we also have attackers ourselves who can hurt people. Arsenal will be wary of that.

"I am sure the lads will remember what they have done on the Emirates turf before." Text: AFP